EUROBASKET 2011

Turning Point: After blowing a 14-point lead, France lowered the boom with a 10-3 run to close the first half. An 8-0 spurt at the start of the second gave them a 52-35 cushion.

Game Hero: Tony Parker - The veteran point guard hit a jumper to snap a 32-32 tie and then answered a David Blu three-ball with one of his own to spark France's decisive run that began at the end of the first half and finished nearly four minutes into the second. Parker finished with 21 points and eigtht assists.

Stats Don't Lie: Israel's defense left a lot to be desired as France shot 57% (eight of 14) beyond the arc and 59% (23 of 39) inside it.

Joakim Noah gave France some toughness inside with nine points and nine boards

Tony Parker underlined his importance to France for the second day in a row with an all-star performance against Israel at the EuroBasket in Siauliai.

The point guard scored 21 points, making lay-ups, mid-range jump shots and three-pointers as the French cruised to an 85-68 win.

Parker, 29, is playing like a superstar with only one thing in mind.

He wants to collect a medal for the second time in his career.

He helped France capture a bronze at EuroBasket 2005 in Belgrade.

At 2-0 in Group B, the very hard games are now coming up for the French with Dirk Nowitzki and Germany next up, and Italy and Serbia to follow.

Parker, who also handed out eight assists, is brilliant but France are not a one-man team with Joakim Noah, Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum and Mickael Gelabale among their star-studded cast.

Gelabale had 13 points and provided a perimeter threat again, drilling all three of his shots from behind the three-point line.

Yet when Parker isn't on the floor, Vincent Collet's team does have a tendency to grind to a halt.

Such was the case in the second quarter against Israel.

France let a 28-14 lead disappear as Lior Eliyahu and Yotam Halperin brought the Israelis back.

After Parker hit a go-ahead lay-up, a David Blu three-ball gave Israel a 35-34 advantage with 2:02 to play in the second quarter.

Parker went immediately to the other end and buried a shot from the arc to put France back in front.

They reeled off the next five points for a 42-35 advantage and after the restart, Parker scored to start a new 12-0 run.

When Batum dunked on a breakaway, the French had a 52-35 lead and there was no way back for Israel.

Noah finished with nine points and a team-high nine boards while Diaw (6pts) and Kevin Seraphin (5pts) grabbed eight boards apiece.